FOOTBALL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 12

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. FACILITIES AT THE PARK... THE RULES AND SOME HUMOUR..

(Br Aristobulbs.)

Those, who frequent the Athletic, Park : must be' at a loss to understand why better facilities, are not provided to enable patrons to make their exit in something like -decency . and order. As a general rule, a large proportion of the occupants of the stand make their way out along the front of the stand. But in addition the insido double gate is also ue«d not only by the players as well as by the large numbers who feel it their duty to leave the banks and escort the players out .of tho playing areas. When this, combined contingent meets the big crowd from along the northern bank just outside the inside double gates there ocours what took place on King's Birthday for example—a scene which can by no means bo described as other than disgraceful. In this connection tho players themselves have a real grievance, for,after . -their hard game it not infrequently happens that they are considerably, buffeted about before they reach the dressing sheds. If tho committee considered the matter, a scheme could surely be devised under ivhich larger 1 gateways, for example, would bo available, and the departure Of tho crowd would, to a great extent, be properly regulated. Apparently it would be futile to prevent patrons entering the Eeld of the match, but players might be provided with an exclusive, overhead bridge leading from tho dressing sheds, to the playing ground. Why Petone Beat College. The chief advantage which Petone had over Victoria College on Saturday was the fact that they got the >ball eight times out of every ten scrums. It was not that Petone, as a result, used their backs to any great extent: but, on the other hand, it stopped College from getting their light rearguard into action as.often as their supporters would have , liked. Upon the whole, the College pack stood up well to tho Petone forwards in other departments of the game. Without the cervices of Pownall, Young, and Duncan, three of their leading backs, College was, ' however, greatly handicapped. Had Duncan, in particular, not been absent, it is just possible that his side would have gcored on one or two occasions when a speedier back was all that was necessary. Although the game was not marked by much exciting play, it was nevertheless fairly enjoyable. • Alike Humorous, Perplexing, and Important. Evidently'the Eofcrees" Association w ill never be at a loss for a point upon which to hold a discussion. If the officials who control the games do cot think of. anything wheih ought to bn brought up, other referees who were present at the contests and studied their rulings will eagerly fill the gap. Hardly had Heferee ■"X.Y.Z." left the field after the HuttMelrose" contest than a brother official buttonholed him with the remark: "You made a mistake that time." "X.Y.Z." scratched his head, looked abashed, and then replied: "You mean under the goal posts yonder." It appears that a member of the attacking side knocked on about a couple of yards, and a defender who promptly gathered in the ball niisJricked, with the result that he did not gain any ground. "X.Y.Z." did not blow his whistle, with tliß object of penalising the attackers, as ho hurriedly ! decided that ,the defenders, had the opportunity, even though they spoiled it,' of gaining,' 6ome advantage as a result of the attackers' knock-on. But his brother referee could not be persuaded that, he had acted rightly. -"Well," . rejoined ■i'X.Y.Z.," "I suppose it will have to icome up at a meeting." The point may •be on the order paper for Monday night. ,• t'The Shadow of Old Melrose." Of very poor quality was most of thn play ih tho Hutt-Melrosc faintest last Saturday.- Both packs worked hard, but unscientifically, whilst tho rearguards did little to lighten their labours. Melrose Beenis to be just the. shadow of Melrose who did so well three or four years ago. ' Had thcy'just used their heads a bit they might easily have thrust home advantages which they secured on a number of occasions. Hutt backs don't appear to know a great deal about the fine- points of the game, whilst their, forwards badly lacked a leader who could-" show them how to put a happy culmination to their efforts, frequently nearly the whole pack broke away, in a looso rush,. but they either over-ran the ball or allowed it to. bo'taken from them! Had Tannahill been among them he would have had plenty of opportunities to shine. But he ' was not: he was sitting oh the "bank." iThose "Trainers' " Park Tickets. ; One of the most important matters discussed at the meeting of tho W.IM\U. ithis week had to do with the number of '"trainers" who should be allowed admitrtance to the park in respect of ,each iteam. Up till three tickets havo been available for each team, but application was now made by a club that the number 'Should be increased to five. Among tho "pros" was one to tho effect that th» application should most certainly be • granted for the reason that "trainers" were none too numerous. As against" this contention it was strongly urged that if the number were increased it would tend to defeat the steps which have been taken to prevent the dressing sheds from becoming over-crowded. Ultimately it was decided only to send three "trainers'." passes in respect of each team' engaged on the park, 1 but that if special application w:ere made to the secretary the number ' might be increased to five. ' Dodd Redivivus. ' E. H. Dodd, who was "booker" partnciwith Watkins somo years back, and New Zealand representative in 1901 and 1905, has redonned the jersey, and last Saturday appeared for Old Boys against Ath-. letics. It was Dodd (it will .bo remembered) who scored the only try for Wellington when they defeated the original "All Blacks" prior to their Home visit. Compared with some of tho old players of to-day Dodd is even now several years to the good. Bis form was surprising on Saturday for, besides doing good work in the scrum, ho übly steonded. the redoubtable Avery in the loose. From all appearances he is again after representative honours. Suburban patrons of Rugby were pleased to notice Mr S. S. Brown, chairman of the W.R.F.U. at the Hutt ground on Saturday. It would be a-good thing if his example were followed by all the other members of the Management Com- . mitteo. No doubt the Athletic Park groat attraction to committeemen, but it would be all the better for the game if they moved about on Saturdays a little-more than they are wont' to do. In connection with Mr. Brown's visit to the Hutt it is tn be hoped that ■ ho tool; a note of the need for the, installation of some satisfactory system of lighting in the dressing-rooms—even if it were only a swinging lamp. When the match was concluded it must havo been anything but comfortable for the players to have to re-dress in tho dark. Perhaps the matter will be looked into nt tho next meeting of the committee? .The Migration of Players. Important business connected with tho (New Zealand League will (says a writer in the "Athletic News") be considered by the Northern Union Committee at their next meeting. Rules and other details connected with the constitution have been submitted by the latest acquisition to the home union, and witli their formal adoption the affiliation will lie complete, in this respect the New Zealnnd officials are more progressive even than their Australian colleagues, but I expect developments as regards the migration of playirrs even from the New South Wales League, when tho advantages of the new rule are fully realised. Another important item of in- . formation from Now Zealand is that a.

game between the Northern Union team and a representative Maori side, will bo played in Julv. It is not generally known that the Hon. C. G. Wade, Premier of New South Wales, was in his early days a crack Rugby player. He was one of the most famous 'three-quarter backs the Rugby game has ever produced, his deeds for New South Wales, Oxford University, and England being imperishable. In referring to the presence of an English team m Australia, he said that while he would always uphold amateurism, especially in sports, in. which players-came into personal contact, and into which danger to the contestants entered, he, 'nevertheless, believed in fitting expenses being allowed. He considered that ,R'ngby had improved since his (lays as a player, and that it was a grand gniuoto play. "Cream of Northern Union Football." Thus the Sydney "Referee" :-Tho Englishmen are training daily, and report themselves as fast throwing off the sluggishness attendant to a lengthy sea voyage. The weather so far has been a-trifle too warm for them, but .as cool conditions should rule any day now, tho change ."will be more to their liking. Judging by appearances, the visitors are a very likely-looking ' lot, though their blocky physique would give one tho impression that they,, will':" He slower on their feet than our own thirteen. However, from the reputation they bring with them as representing the "cream of Northern Union football" they cannot bo as slow as the heavy build of most of them would lead, one to believe. Probably we shall have conclusive proof of this shortly. ' , ' The falling off in 'the. quality of Thomas's ' play in the New;'. Zealand v. Wellington match is> accounted for by the.fact that he got a'.na'sty„bunip early in the contest whilst, hauling down i'nnji" Wilson in his first notable breaKaway. It was at first doubtful whether he would be able to assist his side today, but it appears that he is now all right again. Poor Tamati Ellison: "The Prince of Forwards," Writing in tho "Sydney; Daily Telegraph," "Arawa" says:—Of all the great Native players of New Zealand, Tamati Ellison was among tho very best. He was certainly the greatest forward the writer *has ever seen. This sort of thing is glibly said, but suppose I was nailed for a reason for .such an enthusiastic opinion. Well, I. should reply that Ellison could not only plan out great, deep, wily; and pretty schemes, but .personally carry them through to triumphant execution. It is not every composer that can brilliantly plav his : own music. Ellison could plav his own Kugby music like a genius.. Tom •Ellison,, could lake his place in the front of the scrum, and "hook" the ball with the best of them; his tremendous strength enabled him to burst through a pack, and then, when lie got clear of the wreckage, and was well in tjie open, lie was a per-' feet demon. He was a powerful runner; ho had the great loins of the 'Sativo, and he could fend like in indiarubber traction engine. Ellison, with the ball under his arm, inside an opponent's twenty-five, in the full furv of a victorious charge, was the most terrific player I have ever seen. In his prime in these magnificent for-ward-rushes, which characterised New Zealand play in Ellison's time-rushes which the impetuous Irish m their.pellmell onslaughts have not excelled—Wilson was the prince of forwards. And yet he was not a wild man.. He always knew where he was,' and like the truest and best of players, .he seehied to anticipate the play. There was the strength of the bull, the spring of the tiger, and the. cunning of the fox embodied; in this wonderful ' half-caste when he was in, action. A Much-needed Warning. It will be recalled .that mention wan made in these columns last week to tho necessity-which existod.for the W.B.F.U. to'take steps to prevent early-goers from making their' exit from the Athletic Park along the front of the grandstand and thus spoiling the view of those who intended to see the matches out. Commendation is due to the W.R.F.U. for tho speedy manner in which. they took up the matter. When patrons reached the park that afternoon they were confronted on all sides by placards which road as under: "Patrons who desire to leave their seat; before tho conclusion of the matches will oblige by using'the exit at the back of the stand and thus show consideration to those who wish to see the; games right out. Whilst most reluctant■to take any strong action the Union must protect tho rights of stand patrons and _it has decided to lake proceedings' against anyone trespassing in front of tho stand whilst the games are in progress.' If any patron is placed in this unpleasant position he will have himself alone to blame." Moana Paratene, tho champion Maori wrestler of the Dominion, who is a member, of the Maori football team touring the' Commonwealth, intends to challenge some of Australia's leading wrestlers, if time permits. -.'•-. A correspondent of the! Auckland "Herald" says that there are wars, and rumours of wars and sundry threatenin'gs of tho formidable team : which is being slowly and secretly organised to play the Northern Union game at Dunedin in anticipation of the invasion of tho English Northern Unionists. He .has heard tho names of several "All Blacks" mentioned in connection therewith, but cannot get any verification of the. stories. He reports also.having sounded two of the local men on the point, but-like'Brer Rabbit, they lie low and say nothing. "It ap-' pears that something is really being done in preparation for the coming Northern Union invasion," he concludes, "but how deeply. two of the 'All Blacks' here aro engaged I know not." One of the "Gift" Matches, . Poncke senior team, in whom many championship experts still.'lhavo faith, had ah. easy match last Saturday. - It was tho Reds' first game "in the country," but, inasmuch as Southern were predestined to sustain defeat, tho football authorities were justified in consigning tho match to far Korori. Mr. AlMCcnzio did his best to get the teams out without delay, and, although not so lato as sonio of the previous Karori matches—Athletic v. Melrose, for instance—tho kick-off was a trifle belated. However, there were not many spectators'to grmilhio, only disadvantage affecting the players themselves was that the last few minutes of the contest had to. he fought in a gathering gloom. Moreover, a heavy drizzle came on to punish tho footballers still more severely before they left tho field. It is essential that teams should be ready to take the field as soon as tho whistle blows. . - . Blame is not always upon' the players' shoulders, however, as instance of which two teams on another of the Karori grounds last Saturday waited for several minutes for a referee. Ono would think that tho refcreo in question would now be an ardent supporter of the proposal to shorten tho tramway routo to the hill suburb! The Reds had some new blood in tho team, Hunter (lock) being absent, and E.' Ryan (tho fast wing) having retired to the touch-line because, of a damaged thigh muscle. Sinclair, who was associated with Walsh on the five-eighths line, was one of the most satisfactory of tho "first appearances." no is a junior who has some initiative, who can take a good part in scientific attack, and who ought to be heard of later on. The team contained, for the day, three Calcinai boys, and D. Calcinai scored twice. Disorganised to a certain extent, Southern were at a disadvantage right through the game. Flanagan was absent, and Duncan, the junior half, replaced Gallagher, who hurt his shoulder during the previous match, 'hilhric,, who had decided not to play, was called upon at the opening of the second spell lo lako a placo on the five-eighths line, Johnson having sustained injury to his knee. Four tries were scored in the first spell and three (one converted) in tho second, showing that the game was not a hard ono for Poncke. Southern failed to register any points, their back division being particularly weak. The forwards were fairly energetic, but their efforts were not always guided bv sound judgment, and for these reasons the fast Poncke forwards and the skilful backs had no difficulty in makins-it a romuinnxame,

Into Leading Place, I . Although now leading in the championship, Oriental arc not generally looked upon as likely to retain top place, but it is conceded that the team which defeats them will have to piny a hard game. At Miramar last (Saturday, Wellington went to pieces when pitted against Oriental, a margin of 19 points making tho defeat the nioi-o pronounced. The contest was fairly even until the game was half through, but in the second spell tlie Oriental forwards made opportunities for their keen hack supporters, and thus wrought the defeat of the Yellows. In tho Athletic-Old Boys match at tho Hutt Inst Saturday, Eveuson (Athletic) was'easily the best hack on the ground. His line-kicking was sure, and his tack-' ling good. Wilson was brilliant at times, 'jut on more than one occasion was caught napping. He missed an excellent chance shortly after the second try, when three' opposing forwards over-ran the ball. Cunningham did some good work for his team, but seemed a trifle over-anxious. • Of' the forwards, Jlurpliy wns solid, and played the game as it should be played. Eapson (lock) engineered the scrum with advantage, and followed up well, but inclined towards the "tired feeling" in the second spell. Leahy, with a Kit more condition, will make a fine player. He comes from Taihape, and his team could do with a few more like him. A little more dash, practice at "getting off. the mark," and Taihape will boast of owning him. For tho Old Boys, Thompson shone out frequently. He makes one think he is nervous at times by his style, but ho gets there every time. Ho took a pass offside in a rush started by Marchant, but it was not seen. Players seem to forget that the man with the ball must shoot ahead in order. to pass on-side. Avery was in good form, and made few mistakes, and is well worth his place in the Kow Zealand team. Hales did not have much to do, and appeared to be rather disinterested. In the scrums Athletics got the ball rather more often than they should, until Dodd and Alexander took the vanguard. The ball then repeatedly came out on the Old Boys' side. Besides this, these players kept on the ball well, and j)odd just misstd scoring. ' Athletics had great luck in the darkness- that came on. . They could see their white opponents easily, and their dark jerseys were hard to discern, consequently' ' their gain was tremendous. Old Boys, however,: made a vigorous defence, and had the game been played a little earlier, would probably have defeated their opponents.